Introduction to Lamentations 2:5: Syntax of Divine Wrath in Poetic Personification
Lamentations 2:5 uses powerful Hebrew poetic techniques—especially repetition of verbs, intensification through paronomasia, and personification of YHWH—to depict the catastrophic judgment upon the kingdom of Judah. The grammar conveys theological grief through structured parallelism and poetic variation, with a special focus on the verbs בִּלַּע (“He swallowed”) and the noun pair תַּאֲנִיָּה וַאֲנִיָּה (“moaning and lamentation”). This analysis highlights how syntax and repetition intensify the theme of divine devastation.
הָיָ֨ה אֲדֹנָ֤י כְּאֹויֵב֙ בִּלַּ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בִּלַּע֙ כָּל־אַרְמְנֹותֶ֔יהָ שִׁחֵ֖ת מִבְצָרָ֑יו וַיֶּ֨רֶב֙ בְּבַת־יְהוּדָ֔ה תַּאֲנִיָּ֖ה וַאֲנִיָּֽה׃
This lesson is based on Lamentations 2:5, focusing on the topic: ‘Verb Repetition, Intensification, and Poetic Personification in Lamentations 2:5.’ This verse vividly portrays the destruction of YHWH’s people through verbal repetition and poetic devices that intensify the emotional and theological impact.
Analysis of Key Grammatical Features
1. הָיָ֨ה אֲדֹנָ֤י כְּאֹויֵב֙ – “The Lord was like an enemy”
- הָיָה – Qal perfect 3ms of ה־י־ה: “He was”
- אֲדֹנָי – a divine title for YHWH: “Lord”
- כְּאֹויֵב – preposition כְּ (“like”) + Qal active participle of א־י־ב: “enemy”
This is a verbless simile clause introduced by the Qal verb הָיָה. The phrase sets the theological tone: YHWH is portrayed as an enemy. This personification is bold and deliberate in the lament genre—expressing not blasphemy but raw grief and recognition of divine agency in judgment.
2. בִּלַּע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל / בִּלַּע֙ כָּל־אַרְמְנֹתֶ֔יהָ – “He swallowed Israel / He swallowed all her palaces”
- בִּלַּע – Piel perfect 3ms of ב־ל־ע: “He devoured, consumed”
- יִשְׂרָאֵל – direct object: the entire nation
- אַרְמְנֹתֶיהָ – “her palaces” (plural noun with 3fs suffix)
The repetition of the verb בִּלַּע (Piel stem, intensifying the action) serves both a poetic and grammatical function. It emphasizes total destruction—first of the people, then of their buildings. The repetition here is a form of parallelism through duplication, adding dramatic tension.
3. שִׁחֵ֖ת מִבְצָרָ֑יו – “He destroyed her strongholds”
- שִׁחֵת – Piel perfect 3ms of שׁ־ח־ת: “He ruined, corrupted”
- מִבְצָרָיו – “her fortresses” (plural noun with 3fs suffix)
The Piel verb שִׁחֵת (to ruin, destroy) continues the theme of aggressive divine action. The syntax uses a direct object phrase with possessive suffix to underscore what was lost—defenses, strength, and security.
4. וַיֶּ֨רֶב֙ בְּבַת־יְהוּדָ֔ה תַּאֲנִיָּ֖ה וַאֲנִיָּֽה – “He multiplied in the daughter of Judah: moaning and lamentation”
- וַיֶּרֶב – Qal imperfect with waw-consecutive of ר־ב־ה: “He increased, multiplied”
- בְּבַת־יְהוּדָה – poetic term for “the people/city of Judah” (construct phrase)
- תַּאֲנִיָּה and וַאֲנִיָּה – abstract feminine nouns, meaning “groaning” and “mourning”
This final clause ends the verse with emotional devastation. The twin nouns תַּאֲנִיָּה and אֲנִיָּה use paronomasia—a rhetorical device of pairing similar-sounding words for poetic effect. The parallel structure is not just a stylistic flourish but conveys the depth of lament.
Syntax, Sound, and Theological Devastation in Lamentations 2:5
This verse artfully weaves together verbal repetition, soundplay, and grammatical devices to portray the depth of divine wrath upon Judah. Key features include:
- Verb repetition: בִּלַּע appears twice for intensity
- Piel stem usage: to indicate aggressive and total devastation
- Poetic personification: YHWH is portrayed as an enemy and destroyer
- Paronomasia: תַּאֲנִיָּה וַאֲנִיָּה emphasize audible and emotional pain
Destruction Multiplied: Poetic Grammar of Grief in Lamentations
The Hebrew of Lamentations 2:5 powerfully demonstrates how grammatical choices contribute to theology and emotion. By using repeated Piel verbs and poetic devices, the verse communicates not only what was destroyed, but how deeply and completely. The grammar, sound, and structure together cry out in pain, portraying YHWH as the agent of wrath and the people as crushed under the weight of divine judgment.
